I don't think this has been discussed before but my DH has started spitting. Not all the time but certainly in inappropriate places. He spit on the floor twice while we were in Walmart. Then today, he spit in the floor when we were leaving daycare. I was horrified but how do you teach an AD person that he's not supposed to spit inside ANYWHERE? He doesn't even seem to realize that he has done it when I mention it to him. Has anyone else had this problem and, if so, how in the world did you handle it? Of course this is only one of his newly acquired habits that is driving me crazy. I'm sure all of you understand.
This seems so trivial after reading what jean21, JudithKB, Coco and some others are going through. It breaks my heart to read some of your posts.
Not trivial! And the lousy thing is , I don't know HOW you could stop him. Dazed, mine does not spit, but he does this weird thing when he drinks, I wonder if you have this too. He will be drinking a glass of something, and he will sort of cough in to it, making it splatter. Like he loses control on how to drink.
If your knew this, I only starting posting here over 8 months ago, and things have changed SOOOO much. You need to be heard and understood not matter how small you may think it is. I would be PIS*ED if my mate was doing that!
Dazed, would it help if you took a paper cup with you. If you could give it to him and TRY to explain what is for maybe he would spit in the cup. Other than that I don't have a clue because as we all know you cannot explain anything to a dementia patient.
Not that this information helps, but I think this is one of those complusive disorders people get with AD. Like some like to tear paper into little pieces, my dh bites his finger nails and they bleed...he never bit his nails before. Someone on here said there is some type of med. you can get for this but I don't remember what it was.
Dado has this horrible habit of blowing his nose on his shirt, of course only since he got AZ. As long as I make sure he has a tissue handy he will use it. Maybe if he had tissues he could spit into that?
As long as we are discussing compulsive habits, my DH is constantly picking at himself. He has little scabs all over his arms & legs. Today he told me that something hit him & he pointed to the latest scab. I told hm that I would put some cream on it. It all started with a scab on his nose. When I told him not to scratch his nose he got angry & told me that he wasn't doing that. So now I can't tell him not to scratch because he will get angry & tell me that he isn't doing it. Any ideas on what I can do about that? I am afraid that one of the places will get infected.
FayeBay*, as hard as it was to tell us that, firstly I hope it does help you to start to heal, and secondly, it is information that can help many. That spitting in to the frosty makes me cry too. Dado spits back in to his drinks, more like blows out when he is drinking. By reading your post, it helps me to keep my eyes out for these other symptoms.
Dazed, I do not think there is any "teaching" in this area. My dh has been spitting for over a year now. I always keep tissues handy and have a waste basket w/plastic liner next to the bed. So far he will use these or any sink or garbage or toilet that is available. I rue the day when he loses more control over this so I will keep careful watch here to hear how others before us have handled this situation. Thanks for bringing it up.
indeed they are forgetting to swallow saliva and i guess the only alternative is to spit. my DH in late stages still will do it as well. he doesnt even know to follow the swallow word either. its yet another sign of how the body loses vital connections. at least my dh is not mobile anymore so the spitting isnt that relevant except in his hospital bed usually or the carpet next to bed. sigh.. a handkerchief in the hand-maybe-but like the tissues they dont remember how to use- but i doubt anything will really deter this action once started. just try to be patient. it could be a phase of an obsessive compulsive issue and may pass. divvi
After reading all your posts, I believe it must be an obsessive compulsive thing like divvi and JudithKB said or maybe not remembering that he's supposed to swallow salvia. I don't believe a cup or tissue would help because he doesn't seem to be aware that he's doing it. Seems that before we can solve one problem, they have moved on to something else. The next thing being a little worse.
FayeBay, please don't hesitate to tell us what it's like toward the end. I, personally, want to know what to expect later on. I think it helps us prepare mentally.
marty take care about the hydration issues with meds that 'dry' them up. even in last stages they use meds to dry up secretions and it can tend to lead to dehydration -bowel- and uti issues. make sure she has enough fluids just in case. divvi
Thanks for headss up. MD suggested starting with a minimal dose at 1/2 tab @ bedtime ... see how if it helps in Am? Can go to 4x day. Will watch fluid intake. I like the way our PCP always introduces a new med very slowly (glycoprrolate 1mg)